Energy efficient windows

Enjoy The Benefits Of Energy Efficient Replacement Windows

Make your home more comfortable and save energy in VA

Make your home more comfortable and save energy with better insulation in VA’s subtropical climate – pleasantly hot summers and mildly crisp winters. Choose energy efficient windows to lower your utility costs while increasing your home’s comfort and appearance.

On top of looking attractive, the right windows will reduce energy loss and help keep your home comfortable. If you’ve discovered that your old windows are a source of drafts, costing you more than you should be paying in energy bills each month, make sure your replacement windows are fitted with energy-efficient features.

Did you know that heat loss and heat gain are responsible for between 20%-30% extra energy use? CCI specializes in low-e glass windows designed to keep your heated or cooled air where you want it – inside your home. This glass is compatible with any type of window panes, whether is single-pane, double-pane, or triple-pane windows, and we’ll discuss just how much low-e glass windows can help you save!

Below, we will cover the most energy-efficient window options on the market, industry terms, and whether or not efficient windows are worth it for your family.

Contact us today to schedule a free estimate for energy efficient windows in Haymarket, Chantilly, Manassas, Leesburg, Ashburn, Centreville, Sterling, Gainesville, Bristow, Reston, and areas nearby!

Why Energy Efficient Windows?

There are many reasons you may want to consider energy-efficient upgrades for your home. Not only can these upgrades make your home more comfortable and save energy, but they can also increase your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy-efficient windows provide better insulation in a local subtropical climate like VAhttps://contactcolonial.com/roofing/inspection/ – with our pleasantly hot summers and mildly crisp winters. This means that you’ll likely save money year-round. How? New windows reduce the heat transfer or thermal transfer that occurs when the temperature outside is different from the inside. The air leakage that’s common with older windows is also reduced, which means your a/c or heater doesn’t have to work so hard to keep heat/air inside or outside of your home. All of these factors working together, along with proper installation, can reduce your utility bills.

Next, let’s cover what type of windows and features are most energy-efficient and the various terms in the industry.

What type of window is the most energy-efficient?

Take a look at your existing windows. Are they single-pane? Double pane? The more layers you have between the inside of your home and the outside, the better the insulation and energy efficiency that controls heat gain and loss. That means that single-pane windows offer the least amount of protection, and double-pane or triple-pane offer the most. Single pane glass is most common in older windows, so if you haven’t replaced yours recently, this might be the case in your home.

In addition, replacing single-pane windows with double-pane options (or triple pane) increases the energy-efficient features you have available. Argon gas, krypton gas, and low e coatings are three of those glass technology features.

Argon Gas

This odor and color-less gas is a manufacturer option that provides better insulation than a traditional two-pane window. Argon is actually the third-most abundant gas in the atmosphere here on earth.

It works because air is less dense than argon gas, which means less air can get through.

Krypton Gas

Like Argon gas, Krypton adds a layer of protection to keep heat inside during cool months and let less heat in from the outside during summer months. This gas is denser than Argon gas by about six times, which means it is a better energy-saving choice for your new windows.

Low E Coatings

Many manufacturers add an extra layer of protection with a low emissivity (or low-E) coating on the glass. Gas and low e coatings work together, and the result is windows that reduce thermal transfer and ultimately lower your energy bills.

Energy Efficiency Window Terms

Along with energy-efficient window options, there are also industry terms to consider. From a low U-factor to Energy Star and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), we’re explaining what each means and how each is important for your next window installation project.

What is ENERGY STAR?

One term you may have heard in your search for energy efficiency is ENERGY STAR, but what does it mean exactly? ENERGY STAR is a label provided by the government to help consumers identify energy-efficient products. And it’s a voluntary program overseen by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

ENERGY STAR certified windows are ones that are manufactured by an approved partner and independently tested, verified, and certified. The National Fenestration Rating Council is the independent body that ensures ENERGY STAR windows have met the strictest guidelines for energy efficiency as established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a nonprofit organization that is designed to be objective when inspecting and approving ENERGY STAR-certified products. This extra level of oversight often gives homeowners a certain level of confidence when investing in home improvements, like windows.

Now that we’ve covered some of the ways that new windows offer thermal protection and reduce annual heating and air conditioning bills let’s talk about the cost. Whether you are choosing products during a new construction project or selecting windows for an upgrade, understanding the cost of energy-saving options is essential.

U-Factor

Another term you may have come across is the u-factor. Like ENERGY STAR, a u-factor certification is overseen by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and helps indicate the efficiency of windows or replacement doors.

U-factor measures a window’s ability to insulate. A low u is best, and the range starts at .20 and goes up to 1.20.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

Like a U-factor measurement, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient assesses energy efficiency by measuring how much heat from the sun comes through a given window. The lower, the better, with the range starting at 0 and going to 1.

How much does it cost for energy-efficient windows?

How much does it cost for energy efficient windows

As you might have guessed, choosing the best energy-efficient window for your project can directly influence the total cost of your improvements. Each factor can change your total investment from frame materials to the number of glass panes to choosing a product with or without the ENERGY STAR label.

You may also want to consider how much visible light is important for your home. If you plan to invest in window treatments that block out all the natural light and harmful UV rays, it may make sense to downsize the total glass versus if your window treatments will serve to draw more attention to the natural light streaming through!

On the flip side of cost, you’ll want to consider what type of savings you’ll experience after installing energy-efficient windows. Rough estimates from the Efficient Windows Collaborative say that up to 15% savings on your energy bills are a reasonable expectation if you replace older windows with new options that include low e coatings. This is based on a home of roughly 2,500 square feet. And of course, actual results will vary by your local energy costs, weather, and more.

We recommend working with a professional roofing contractor like CCI who can help explain all of your options, complete an expert installation, and ensure you save the most possible on your utility costs.

So, Are energy-efficient windows worth it?

If you want to reduce your energy use and gain maximum energy efficiency, absolutely! Homeowners in southern climates, warmer climates, cold climates all benefit from better energy efficiency. Your window type can play a significant role in your home’s heat transfer (heat loss/heat gain), both in and out of the house.

With proper installation, you can expect to see lower residential heating and a/c strain on your unit, which means lower heating and cooling costs over your existing windows. This is especially true if your existing windows have single-pane window glass and you’re upgrading to two-pane window glass or better. See the example above for estimated savings!

If the cost of replacement windows is a concern, even though you’d love to have reduced energy costs, work with a professional contractor like CCI. Not only will your new windows be installed properly, but you’ll likely be eligible for low-interest loans. This is true for replacement windows and new construction if your windows aren’t a part of the overall build.

Contact us today to schedule a free estimate for energy-efficient windows in Haymarket, Chantilly, Manassas, Leesburg, Ashburn, Centreville, Sterling, Gainesville, Bristow, Reston, and areas nearby!

GET A FREE QUOTE!

Schedule your free consultation and estimate

No matter what replacement windows you end up choosing, make sure they are working hard to save you money through increased energy performance and energy savings. Call CCI at 703-754-9551 or contact us online to schedule a free estimate for window installation! We’d love to help you improve your home’s energy performance with new, energy-saving windows.

We offer our energy-efficient windows to customers in Chantilly, Haymarket, Manassas, Leesburg, Ashburn, Centreville, Sterling, Gainesville, Bristow, Reston, and the surrounding areas. Contact our team to get started and see how much you can save!

GET YOUR FREE, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE TODAY!

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